England women stroll to India win

Caroline Atkins and Claire Taylor both made 69 in an unbroken 125-run stand as England beat India by nine wickets at the Women's World Cup in Sydney.

India were dismissed for 169 from 48.4 overs, with Jenny Gunn - cleared to bowl despite being reported for an illegal action - taking 3-50.

Holly Colvin (3-22) also shone, while Mithali Raj (57) provided the main resistance for India.

England lost Sarah Taylor for 27 but cruised home with 11.2 overs to spare.

Head coach Mark Lane was delighted with an excellent all-round display from his players.

"It was a much improved performance in all three disciplines. It was good to see Holly Colvin coming into her own and taking 3-22 and we were excellent in the field with Lydia Greenway taking three catches," he said.

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The victory followed England's opening 100-run win over Sri Lanka on Saturday and almost guarantees first place in Group B with their final match against Pakistan to come on Thursday.

Captain Charlotte Edwards elected to put India into bat after winning the toss at North Sydney Oval, a decision justified when Isa Guha took two wickets in the first seven overs.

Anagha Deshpande and former India captain Raj steadied the innings with a 52-run partnership before Deshpande (32) was caught at mid-wicket by Greenway off Gunn.

Raj soon found herself running out of partners as left-arm spinner Colvin ran through the Indian middle order.

They were in dire straits at 126-9 when Raj was caught by Greenway off Gunn, but Amita Sharma and Gooher Sultana added 43 for the last wicket to give their side a glimmer of hope.

Sharma, taking full advantage of a batting powerplay, smashed 21 runs off the 48th over, bowled by Gunn but the innings came to an end when she was bowled by Edwards for 33 after attempting a Kevin Pietersen-style switch-hit.

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